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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

We have an immediate opening for director of Junior High Camp at Hills of Peace. If you feel the call to lead a small group of very exuberant 12-14 year olds, please contact Greg Goheen at greg@communityofchrist.ca or

1-877-411-2632 extension 1

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Pursue Peace On Earth

Community of Christ Canadian Peace Award!

Nominations extended to April 30, 2012

Right-click to download [PDF 259.1Kb] a printable version and the application form

We are looking for excellent examples of local people bringing peace to neighbourhoods and their communities through celebration, reconciliation and collaboration.

Examples might be:

Mentoring

Faith-based community support

Volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to reducing violence in their neighbourhoods

An individual who has shown exceptional courage in keeping the Peace

Community safety / crime reduction initiative.

An individual working across diverse groups to bring about positive changes

People actively building bridges between young people, communities, generations, faiths or cultures.

A congregation actively involved in engaging and connecting local communities, promoting Peace and Justice, uniting others to be peacemakers for the good of all.

To put forward your nominations please complete this application form and submit to the following:

Nominees may be Canadian members or friends of the Community of Christ.

Additional information and supporting evidence cannot be returned.

The awards will be presented during the Canadian National Conference, June 16, 2012.

Self nominations will not be accepted.

Only award recipients and nominators will be notified in advance.

“We are poised to restore Christ’s covenant of peace, even the Zion of our hopes. The hope of Zion will become reality when we live Christ’s peace and generously share his peace with others.” Taken from the Community of Christ, “Mission Initiatives” brochure.

Find out about the topics that will be discussed, get the tools to help you with your decision making process and find out which satellite location is nearest you. Apostle Susan Skoor will present you with a new thought each month until the conference begins so you can make informed decisions and make your voice heard.

The videos are available in both .MP4 and .flv formats. You may have to wait a moment for the videos to load.

Here is an important announcement about a potential additional scholarship for any future Graceland student who is the son or daughter of a Graceland alum. Even with the Study and Faith Scholarship program, some families have concerns about the cost of education. Please post this and announce it in your congregations. This scholarship could help make the difference for a student who deeply wants to attend the church’s university.

Don't leave money on the table and take advantage of your heritage! All prospective Graceland University students for this fall are encouraged to apply for the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Awards. Please check out Graceland’s web page at http://www.graceland.edu/pdf/financialaid/2012AlumniEndowedScholarshipApp.pdf or contact the GU Alumni programs office at 641-784-5258 or email alumni@graceland.edu for an application. The deadline for applying is March 15, so please act fast to take advantage of this outstanding financial aid opportunity. Who is eligible? Direct descendants of GU alumni (Anyone who has earned at least 12 credit hours at Graceland, Lamoni or Independence campus, is considered an alumnus).

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about this scholarship. Thanks for all you do for Graceland!

Greg Sutherland

Director of Affiliate Relations

Graceland University

Phone: 641-784-5470

Fax: 641-784-5469

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Sign up Now!

Nurturing Spirit Weekend Vancouver

“Evolution of Spirit”

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Nurturing Spirit: Falling in Love with your “Divine Self”

Calgary

Date changed to April 13-15, 2012

Community of Christ, 6415 Ranchview Dr. NW, Calgary

Guest Teacher/Minister: Vickie MacArthur has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for the past 15 years and sees yoga as a spiritual path healing body, mind and spirit. (www.spiritinmotionyoga.ca)

Take time out to nurture body, mind and spirit through the time‐honored practices of yoga and meditation. Learn gentle stretches and breathing practices to release tension and discomfort in the body as well as prayer and meditation to calm and focus the mind.

Fall in love with your “Divine Self” and connect to that place of peace and stillness where God lives and breathes in you. It is from this deep wellspring of stillness and joy, that we can live life more abundantly and learn to love others more deeply.

Registration is just $30 and is kindly required to help with planning meals and workshops. This is also a great opportunity to invite a friend. Please email Mary Jean Belrose at mjbelrose@shaw.ca or call (403) 241-9616.

Bring a Yoga mat, blanket, pillow or cushion, coffee/tea mug, journal, and an open mind. (There will be a few extra yoga mats for those who do not have one. There will also be chairs available for those who are not comfortable on the floor.) If you’re either brand new to these practices or have some experience, we look forward sharing the weekend with you!!

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SPECTACULAR 2012

Please let Rachelle Smalldon know at rlsmalldon@gmail.com or 587-920-6330 if you are planning to come to SPECTACULAR with our delegation as soon as possible (even before sending forms). This will help immensely with booking flights and planning. Thanks!

Presidency’s Address to the Church will be webcast live, Sunday, April 15. Join in “Hearing Good News…Being Good News!” at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) during an inspirational worship at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, and webcast in English, French, and Spanish. President Steve Veazey will share testimony about the increasingly successful implementation of the mission initiatives. He will also share about the vision for church life and mission presented in Doctrine and Covenants 164 and what it truly means to be community through which Jesus Christ continues his mission in the world today. He will also share some personal perspective with nations preparing for national conferences in 2012 and 2013. Presidents David Schaal and Becky Savage will also share “good news.” Highlights will include the Young Adult Vision Project, church growth through membership confirmations, launch of the Leaders of Congregations in Mission project, and unveiling the “look” of the hymnal that will launch in 2013. Be part of “Hearing Good News…Being Good News!”—at the Temple or at www.CofChrist.org.

Check out the mission initiative video interview series in which President Steve Veazey talks in depth with Apostle Linda Booth about Luke 4:18–19 and the five mission initiatives. Excerpts of the first of the six-part series are in the March Herald article, “Holistic Mission.” Follow the entire series in the magazine. To subscribe, visit www.HeraldHouse.org or contact subscriptions@HeraldHouse.org or 1-800-767-8181. Also, see and share the videos from www.CofChrist.org/mission/Veazey-Booth-interview.asp.

Community of Christ Sings will be the name of the next Community of Christ hymnal to be launched at the Peace Colloquy in October 2013. The name “reflects the personality of the collection and who we are.” See the March Herald article to see the “look” of the name. The look will also be unveiled during the First Presidency’s address to the church on April 15 (www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/upcoming.asp). In a long line of distinguished hymnals, we welcome the next primary songbook of the church.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The March 2012 Witness the Word: Sermons on Demand is mailing to pastors in Australia, British Isles, Canada, and USA. We are excited to feature the first bi-lingual sermon by Apostle Carlos Mejia and Apostolic Assistant Art Smith in this edition of the series. The DVD also includes a Communion message by Apostle-designate Barbara Carter and a mission-focused sermon by President of Seventy Kris Judd. In addition to this quarter’s Witness the Word DVD, a second DVD with seven short Jack and Jenn videos and lesson plans is included. Please share these videos with your congregation!

Beginning March 1, the Daily Bread is launching a free blog at www.CofChristDailyBread.wordpress.com. The site offers content from the Daily Bread book, ability to share your comments, and the blog is mobile-friendly. Enter the URL above on any smart phone and save it to the home screen for easy viewing each day. Encourage your congregation to visit the site and subscribe to take advantage of this daily discipline!

The Herald commentary series on signal communities continues with “Signal Communities…Reflect Christ’s Peace,” by Apostle Linda Booth. To form signal communities we must “become fully immersed in the servant life of Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 164:3a). Read more about the shapes these communities take.Get the series delivered free to your e-mail by subscribing at www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp. To subscribe to the Herald, visit www.HeraldHouse.org or contact subscriptions@HeraldHouse.org or 1-800-767-8181.

Remember World Hunger emphasis on Sunday, March 4. Please remind those planning offertory remarks to remember needs met through the Abolish Poverty, End Suffering mission initiative, which includes World Hunger ministries and grants. Information and resources are at www.CofChrist.org/hunger.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get to know more about Jim Poirier, member-designate of the Presiding Bishopric. Apostle Linda Booth interviewed Jim. Excerpts are published in the March Herald. To see the interview, visit our online Media Archives at www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/2012archive.asp. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The latest health brief from Community of Christ Health Ministries Association is about careful handling and disposing of medications. Prescriptions are required for medications that are unsafe to use without guidance of a healthcare professional. If we value our children and youth, we will not create a hazard or a stumbling block to them, like leaving medications, especially prescriptions, where they can get to them. Identity theft for medication fraud can also be a problem. Be sure to share the information and tips about medications with your congregation, friends, and family. All health briefs can be found at www.hmaCofChrist.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Community of Christ Educators Association is accepting applications for the 2012 $500 scholarships for any church member majoring in education. Applicants must be entering their junior year of college. The application is due by May 1 and can be found at http://CofC3.org/educators. Please download and mail it with all other required information to the address on the application. E-mail cfrerking@att.net if you have questions or comments.

The new Pastors and Leaders Field Guide is online at www.CofChrist.org/leaders. The guide is designed to help pastors and congregational leaders •“live into” shared practices of Christian discipleship that create a congregational culture shaped by the mission of Jesus Christ. •engage the gifts of all ages in mission. •carry out the basic elements of organization and administration required for a well-functioning congregation.

Arrangements are being made with mission center presidents to provide print copies for congregational leaders who do not have adequate Internet access. As you continue grounding your leadership in a relationship with Christ, this field guide will provide practical ways to give that leadership expression through the life of the congregation.

We are saving trees and postage! Thanks to the availability of e-mail addresses in Shelby for pastors, seventy, and field specialists in Canada and the USA, and those who have proactively signed up for an e-subscription, we are now printing and mailing significantly less paper copies of the 10-Minute News Report. You are part of helping uphold the Sacredness of Creation by saving paper, printing, and postage. Anyone can get a free e-subscription to the 10-Minute News Report at www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp.

Please share the following information with those serving in a capacity to share information about resources and coordinate group orders through Herald House. Remind your congregation they can always shop Herald House online at www.HeraldHouse.org.

Understanding the Way (revised edition) explores key themes of the Christian faith from a Community of Christ perspective. Theology—careful reflection on the Gospel—helps voice the deepest realities of our shared life in Christ. What is revelation? The Trinity? Salvation? For what can we hope? This book invites readers into the conversation. Each chapter includes supportive scriptures and questions designed for further exploration. 9780830914692 $8.95

Signal Communities…Live Christ’s Mission is the adult text for 2012 Reunions. Members of the Council of Twelve help us explore how signal communities reflect Christ’s peace, embrace continuing revelation, make responsible choices, pursue peace, honor the sacredness of creation, and speak and live Christ’s mission. The text helps us consider how faithful disciples in Community of Christ are called to create and sustain signal communities by focusing on the whole mission of Jesus Christ through the five mission initiatives. 9780830915323 $11.95

How does your congregation support the mission initiatives? How do you Invite People to Christ; Abolish Poverty, End Suffering; Pursue Peace on Earth; Develop Disciples to Serve; and Experience Congregations in Mission? All five are needed to be true to the whole mission of Jesus Christ. Please send photos and stories to Herald@CofChrist.org. Share good news with sisters and brothers who may read your story in the Herald and be inspired.

Register now for MEADS (Ministerial Education and Discipleship Studies)! August 6–10 courses at Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, are: Spiritual Formation with Bruce Crockett, 8:30 a.m.–noon; and Mission and Evangelism with Karin Peter, 1:30–5:00 p.m. Cost is $88 per class, or $175 for both. Also offered is Young Adult Ministries with Erica Blevins Nye, 1:30–5:00 p.m. for $35. This course is for Temple School credit and does not go towards MEADS certification. For more information and course syllabi, visit www.CofChrist.org/meads/schedule.asp. To register contact Michelle Booth: mbooth@CofChrist.org, ext. 1459.

Are you involved in, or interested in being involved, in prison ministries? A Community of Christ prison ministry group based in Kansas City, Missouri, wants to network with and assist others in prison ministry across the USA. Please send your name, address, e-mail, and the congregation you attend to prisonministry@live.com. If you know an incarcerated person who might want Community of Christ contact, please send their information to prisonministry@live.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 4: World Hunger emphasis April 1: Palm/Passion Sunday April 5: Maundy Thursday April 6: Anniversary of the church’s 1830 organization and 1860 reorganization April 6: International Headquarters offices closed—Good Friday April 8: Easter April 15: First Presidency’s Address to the Church April 20–22: Congregational Support Ministry Training

May 6–11: Council of Presidents of Seventy meeting May 7–11: Council of Twelve Apostles meeting

Daily Prayer for PeaceA brief worship service is held daily at 1:00 p.m. central time at the Temple. Join us in prayer from wherever you are. For details and the text of each day’s prayer, visit www.CofChrist.org/prayerpeace/.

About This Blog

The CWM Weekly Ann­ounce­ment blog keeps you up to date with what is happening in the Canada West Mission. It is usually published every Thursday – enter your email below to automatically receive every new post in your email inbox.